I love a wardrobe item that has the ability to be worn in a number of different ways and for a variety of occasions. For the most part I tend to think of solid numbers as ideal for mixing and matching, but recently I got this simple camo dress from the Jane app and have found that despite its pattern the dress is super simple to mix and match for a variety of life moments.
Back in February, I wore this dress with comfy flats on my sisters’ staycation in Chicago on the day we toured the Art Institute. In the middle of March I wore it paired with boots for a little extra warmth while the seasons transition. Last week I wore it to school paired with a more structured jacket to give the camo material a semi-professional feel.
Look One: Casual Weekend
I paired the camo dress, for this look, with my favorite cargo-styled green army jacket and then a pair of animal print flats. Since the colors are similar the mixed pattern between the dress and shoes work without overwhelming the look. All accessories and the handbag were kept basic in order to not distract from the rest or creating too many competing focal points and patterns to take in.
Dress: Jane
Jacket: Kohls
Shoes: Rocket Dog from DSW
Purse: 88 Handbags
Earrings and Necklace: Stella & Dot
Look Two: Work Meeting
For the second look I went with something a little more dressed up. I swapped out the cargo jacket of the first look for a cropped and more tailored moto jacket. The flat were switched for wedge booties. A statement necklace and the same simple earrings complete the look, along with the oversized bag that fits my computer, bullet journal and anything else I need for a meeting.
Dress: Jane:
Jacket: Ann Taylor
Booties: Steve Madden
Necklace: Happiness Boutique
Earrings: Stella & Dot
Sunnies: Vera Wang
Bag: 88 Handbags
Look Three: Saturday Brunch
I wore a version of this look last week to teach. To me, a classic denim jacket is an easy go-to for nearly any dress. It helps break up the pattern or color and gives a little structure to a look, while still remaining laidback and casual. The boots, with their worn look, also add to the laidback feel of the overall look.
Dress: Jane
Jacket: New York & Co.
Boots: Freebird via ShopBop
Necklace and Earrings: Stella & Dot
Purse: myWalit
Look Four: Running Errands
This is the simplest and obvious least stylized look of the four. I love a simple dress that can be thrown on to run errands around town. It’s as comfortable as wearing yoga pants or my favorite pair of boyfriend jeans, but also slightly dressed up too. Pair the simple cotton camo dress with a pair of fashionable sneakers, like this metallic Puma’s and the outfits complete with minimal work or hassle.
Dress: Jane
Shoes: Puma via Amazon
And while my go-to combination right now is to combine it with a tailored jacket I’m sure in the warmer months I’ll be more likely to wear it without that extra layer and perhaps add a belt to break up the pattern. Or maybe pair it with a light-weight sweater or solid-colored scarf.
What patterns have you found to be surprisingly versatile when you got them in your closet and started mixing and matching? The versatility of this camo dress was a surprise to me. A happy surprise, to be sure.
